Scoliosis typically begins during childhood or adolescence and does not typically cause discomfort; however, it can hinder breathing.
Scoliosis treatment typically entails wearing a back brace to maintain a gradual curve while still growing, and doctors periodically examine its curvature.
Bracing may not be effective against active growth in children; surgery to fuse their spine’s bones together using bone graft, rods and screws may be done instead.
Diagnosis
Persons diagnosed with scoliosis typically exhibit an S- or C-shaped curvature of their spines, which may range from minor curvatures that don’t cause any problems to severe cases that cause back pain, numbness and/or weakness in legs.
Doctors can diagnose scoliosis through physical examination and X-rays. The latter will show the shape of your spine, along with how the shoulders and hips line up, while using a device called a “scoliometer” to measure where its curve begins when someone bends over.
Doctors can determine how much growth remains for children by monitoring for signs of puberty such as beginning menstruation in girls and other neurological, genitourinary or cardiovascular system issues.
Symptoms
Scoliosis typically appears between the middle (thoracic) and lower back (lumbar). It often forms an S or C shape. Mild curves generally don’t cause pain and may improve naturally over time or worsen with age.
Doctors can diagnose scoliosis through taking a health history and performing a physical exam, asking about family histories of it and ordering imaging tests to measure spine curvature.
Scoliosis can have serious repercussions for breathing and cause back or neck pain, as well as restrict movement and produce unilateral rib prominence on one side of the back. Scoliosis also interferes with lung function if its curve lies within the thoracic area; twisting or rotating of ribs reduces lung capacity while cutting oxygen delivery; it may even result in spinal deformity or spinal stenosis.
Treatment
As middle schools now routinely screen for scoliosis, it can often be identified and treated early before it worsens and leads to more severe curves as children continue to grow. Scoliosis can cause back pain and breathing difficulties for adults; surgery may be needed for correcting it – spinal fusion surgery involves inserting bone graft into a curvilinear area before joining (fusing) its bones together permanently; metal rods are then attached for support to keep it straight.
Children and teens seeking treatment for scoliosis may feel angry or ashamed of their condition, so they need support from family, friends and healthcare providers. Regular physical activity including sports participation will keep muscles strong. Mayo Clinic health experts are currently conducting studies on new treatments, interventions and tests designed to prevent, detect or treat scoliosis; you can help by volunteering as a research study volunteer participant – click here for more details!
Prevention
Spinal curvature may result from cerebral palsy, spina bifida or spinal cord injury and causes your muscles to compensate by loosening or overcompensating for imbalance in your spinal column, leading it to curve. X-rays and other diagnostic tests may be employed to monitor its progression.
Most cases of scoliosis are mild and will not worsen over time, however if the curvature becomes larger it can cause pain and other medical problems. One way to help stop further progression of scoliosis is wearing a brace when you are still growing, particularly as children or teens.
Braces can help reduce scoliosis curves by 25-40 degrees; however, they will not straighten your spine. Children and teenagers living with scoliosis should wear their braces 16 to 23 hours daily until their growth spurt is complete and avoid activities that could potentially jar their spine such as contact sports.